The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1887-12-22
REvrvAl 81 EALconRY.
An AncSsat sport That Enniishm-n Ars
TrTlnr 70 Populariae.

TrTinE - Fspularise.
Although there dos not apparently
exist sny great revival Of tie sport Of
falconry there have been various Efforts
recently made 70 POpulsrize Il in In
gland
There Wss time when Il was sx-
treuely po1nisr. and upon the treasury
lists ofGrs1i Britain thee are several
sIneeurists drawing heavy salaries in
connection with this nov obsolsts pas
time.
Falconry 70 the pursuit Of birds and
also Of small qusdrupeds By trained
hawks Tno heron is the principal bird
the sport affects These birds are ouly
occasionally met With in the fenA In
the winter the hcrOns are shy and
solitary. and are found 10 the fsns BY
themselves; but 10 the spring they con-
gregate in some high wOod. The heron
resembles the rock or crow. and their
nests and habits are similar. They are
curious and weird objects standing
alone IN the water. with their heads
bent back to their shoulders, seeking
the fish. reptiles aud mice. which. when
discovered, they seize with the quick-
ness of lightning and the unorring aim
Of q CreedmOor expert
Several efforts 70 revive the sport
have been unsuccessfully made at
various times Of late. with poor sue
cess. In Olden times kites. partridges.
pheassnts, larks, pigeons. sparrOws
and even rabbits havs been flown at
The Maharajah DhuleeP Singh. Of
India. kept his private falconer in En-
gland recently. but WIS unsuccessful
IN attracting general attention. for few
sportsnen n the present rapid age
have the patience % perseyere 10 be-
come exper. falooners. Some few peO-
pie who cling n the antiquity Of 'heir
residences. retain hcronries ss proofs.
But they are Tor The most part entirely
ont Of the resch Of nearly all Of her
Majesty's sp,rtiBg subjects
But years ago there we're no mon
more revered aud eunObled than ex-
pert falconers.
The gyrfalcon is most highly priced
for the sport; be i very long winged
and the largest species In the olden
days Of falconry the z rfalcon Of Ice
laud wus highly priced IS the most
rapid Of flight snd more cours g-Ous
than the British or Norway species
Tie length Of this bird wss 'aboui
twenty-thrce inches. with horn and
yellow cOl0red boak. There are various
species Of ftlcons slow hiers. quick
dsshers. sud long and short distance
birds, according N the prey designed
The kesirsl. the goshawk, and the
sparrow hawk. also the kite. buzzard,
and barrier. are some Of these. The
hood, which Is used 10 break tbs hawk
to hand and % yroduca temporary
blindness, Is made OF stif leather.
blocked upon . woOslsn model Of it,
intended shape, 80 As to cit stif1y but
firmly on the hawks head A curious
combination Of leash j. fastened around
the hawk aud extends 70 the hand Of
the falc0ner. whn can instantly set tho
bird free. Tho lure Is used n sntice the
hawk back 10 The falconeT. either after
an unsuccessful Ill ght or when the game
Is struck and Is 70 b. saved from the
ialons 81 the devourer The lure Is
composed IF a mass Of feathers Of bril-
lian5 hue attached 10 a long corded
string With tassel 1t the end
Hawkiug-gloves were used with hand
somely crnamentod gaunile,s over the
wrist. each faicnuer adopting some
poelical fancy Of his Own. HINS X are
either taken from their nest. trained
"a Young birds. or trapped at later
period. 3, the feather mode they are
more trac. able. bat less fearless aad
less bold and s,r"n-. Hsws tanning is
easy. but tie chief diihcul in falcon
ing is teaching them 10 Gy at game.
Springs Of horschsir or bird lime are
the means usually sought tn trSp tie
hawk, sud active men ard boys In
neighboring trees are essential.
Hawks are wonderfully intelligent
when trained, snd will take medicine
to condition them a. well as the most
intelligent horse or dog. and will learn
h know their names and will come AZ
it, call from ont Of a congregation.
Rewards Of meat will plseate the most
unruly hawk. wno viii then tamely
submit n hood. je,ees. and bells A
well-trained peregine (eyesses) ooss
about seven dollars.
Colonel Wilson. Of DIilington. In
Norfolk, has the most perfect heronry
probably existing to-day. a hpronry
Is best situated on a river with open
country on each side II Il. The herou.
90 out In the morning 70 rivers and
ponds at cousidsrlbi, distances in
search Of food. and return early In the
evening. Il is II ibis time that the
falconers place themselves Ga the open
country down wind Of ;be heronry.
so that when the leTons arc intercepted
on their return home they are obliged
to fly a.ainst the wind 10 gain their